Purpose:
As per Section 12.03.205 of the Highlands County Code of Ordinances, the Board of Adjustment shall have the power and duties to hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirements, decision or determination made by the enforcing official. The Board of Adjustment also has the power to hear and make determinations on zoning variances and special exception applications.
As per Section 12.03.301 of the Highlands County Code of Ordinances, the Planning & Zoning Commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners and shall provide recommendations on zoning and land use changes, as well as amendments to the Land Development Regulations.
AUTHORITY:
Sections 12.03.200 and 12.03.300 of the Highlands County Code of Ordinances
MEMBERSHIP:
The P&Z shall consist of seven voting members and two nonvoting members, with three alternates to serve in the absence of voting members and two nonvoting alternates to serve in the absence of the nonvoting members. The seven voting members and three alternates shall be qualified electors of the county appointed by the BCC. One of the nonvoting members shall be a representative of the school district appointed by the School Board of Highlands County, Florida, which may also appoint one of the nonvoting alternates to serve in the absence of the regular nonvoting member. The other nonvoting member shall be a representative of a military installation wholly or partially located in the county appointed by the commanding officer of that installation, who may also appoint a nonvoting alternate to serve in the absence of that regular nonvoting member.
The members of the Planning & Zoning shall serve, ex officio, as the Board of Adjustment, and the alternates to the Planning & Zoning shall serve, ex officio, as the alternates to the Board of Adjustment to serve in the absence of the regular members.
TERMS:
Members serve four-year terms.
MEETINGS:
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 3 p.m. in the Commissioners Board room in the Highlands County Government Center, 600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring, unless noticed otherwise.
The next meeting for both the Board of Adjustment and Planning & Zoning on July 14 has been cancelled.
The next meeting for both the Board of Adjustment and Planning & Zoning will be held on August 11.
PUBLIC HEARING DEADLINES:
Deadlines for applications to the Board of Adjustment and Planning and Zoning Commission.
PLEASE NOTE:
You will never receive an email from the County requesting sensitive information or payment related to a development application. If you do, you should always call Planning & Zoning at 863-402-6650 or 863-402-6638 to verify its legitimacy.
CONTACT / STAFF Liaison:
Melony Culpepper / staff liaison
Voting Members:
Suzanne Hunnicutt, P&Z Chair
Term expires: 02/21/2029
Gary Brown
Term expires: 04/20/2026
Emma Ezell, P&Z Vice chair
Term expires: 04/20/2026
Thomas Roberts
Term expires: 04/20/2026
Chip Boring, BOA Vice chair
Term expires: 01/18/2027
Frank Youngman, BOA Chair
Term expires: 01/18/2027
Christine Lopez
Term expires: 02/21/2029
ALTERNATE Voting Members:
Dettrick Drewery
Term expires: 03/21/2027
Kathie Payne
Term expires: 03/21/2027
Vivienne Sclater
Term expires: 02/20/2028
Nonvoting Members:
Reese Martin, School Board of Highlands County
VACANT, Avon Park Air Force Range
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